JNU row: Don't need lessons from RSS, BJP on patriotism, says Rahul Gandhi

RAEBARELI: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today said he did not need lessons on patriotism from RSS and BJP, which have accused him of supporting "anti-nationals" over the JNU row.

"I don't need to take lesson from BJP and RSS.... Rastrabhakti mere khoon me hai (Patriotism is in my blood)," Rahul said when asked about his support to JNU students and the protests by BJP.

"A situation has come in the country where attempts are being made to suppress all voices of dissent," he added.

Interacting with farmers at Salon, which lies in his Amethi constituency, Rahul said, "Prices of pulses have gone up for the first time. The (BJ) government has failed to fulfill its promises. He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) should give Rs 15 lakh to each farmer or leave".

"I will raise the issues pertaining to farmers in Parliament," he said accusing the Modi government of not delivering on the poll promises.

Rahul yesterday dubbed the JNU row and Patiala House court violence as a "blot" on India's image and sought President Pranab Mukherjee's intervention for immediate action to "check the state of lawlessness and subversion of democratic rights".

"It is not the Government's job to destroy our educational institutions and crush expression of all students. Across the country, RSS is trying to impose a flawed ideology on the students of this country," he told reporters in Delhi.

He also launched a counter attack on the BJP for its "anti-national" dig at him, asserting that "nationalism is in my blood. I have seen my family sacrifice again and again and again for this nation."